Pike retires from WNI

Ray Pike, vice president and publisher of Waxahachie Newspapers Inc., announced his retirement Monday following a 43-year career in the newspaper industry.

Pike will continue to serve as a consultant for WNI, serving as a liaison for the newspaper on various community issues.

“At 68, my wife Lynn and I felt like now was a good time for me to begin transitioning into the next phase of my life. I’m in good health and I’m excited about having the time to pursue the things that I’ve always wanted to do,” Pike said.

“I’m an avid motorcycle rider and I just completed a new workshop at the house that will become my new ‘office’ allowing me to pursue my hobbies of woodworking and small

mechanical projects.

“While Lynn will continue working at Navarro College-Ellis County, we both love to travel and plan several trips when her schedule permits. We just completed a two-week trip into Russia that allowed us to explore the history and culture of that country. We would like to take many more trips abroad in the years to come,” he added.

Pike said when he came to Waxahachie five years ago he knew this would be the final landing spot in his newspaper career.

“In that time we’ve come to love Waxahachie. We have many friends here and enjoy being part of the community,” he said, adding he and Lynn have no plans to relocate.

He said he is also very proud of the newspaper’s many accomplishments during his tenure.

“The last five years has been very rewarding. We’ve done a lot of good things at the Daily Light and we’ve certainly continued our award-winning ways. As we move forward in this new era for our industry, I believe WNI and the Daily Light will continue to be an exceptionally good community newspaper — both in print and online. We have a good team here. When I arrived here five years ago, I found a staff that exceeded my expectations when it came to their commitment to putting out a good product,” Pike said, noting that the new publisher is inheriting an exceptional staff.

While officially retired, Pike said he will continue to be active in the community — as well as helping out the newspaper in his new role as consultant.

“I won’t be in the office, but I’ll certainly be around,” he said. “I’ll be helping out the new publisher during the transition, which will also provide me with an easier transition into ‘total’ retirement.”

American Consolidated Media President Randy Cope expressed his appreciation for Pike’s leadership during his tenure at WNI, which in addition to the Daily Light includes the weekly publications of the Ennis Journal, Ellis County Chronicle (Red Oak), Midlothian Mirror and Alvarado Post.

“On behalf of ACM I would like to thank Ray for the time he spent leading the Daily Light,” Cope said. “Ray has always cared deeply for his employees and for the community and has always rightfully considered both groups in any discussion about the future of the newspaper.”